ESTABLISH

AND MANAGE

A VOLUNTEER

DENTAL

CLINIC

1888 Brother Geenen Way

Sarasota, Florida 34236

(941) 556-3215

Jane Icely, LPN BSHM

Vice President, Programs

Florida Statutes

Provide:

1. For a non-profit dental permit

A. To be renewed yearly.

B. Allows unlicensed dentists to work after a patient is screened by a Florida licensed dentist.

Requires the unlicensed dentist to obtain

specific CME’s (CPR, HIV and Domestic

Violence) before starting.

2. For a Limited License for dentists who are not licensed in Florida

A. Application process (samples

available)

B. Must maintain same CME require-ments as a full Florida license.

To Obtain a Non-Profit

Corporation Permit (Fl. St. 64B5-7.006)

1.You must submit a copy of the non-profit’s

charter, and proof of registration with IRS as a non-profit.

2. Justification for need to provide dental services by dentists not licensed in Florida.

3. A plan of operation showing how the non-

licensed dentists will practice under general supervision of a Florida licensed dentist. (Protocols!) (Dental Director!)

4. A site plan – equipment to be used – descrip-

tion of physical plant. 5. You must state you are serving people under

200% of federal poverty guidelines.

1. Prior to submission of this application to the

Board, you should have at least one Florida li-censed dentist and one unlicensed dentist will-ing to volunteer.

2. Before any dentist can volunteer in Florida,

you must submit (as the sponsoring agency) a copy of their CPR card, HIV and Domestic Violence credits, CV if possible, and a copy of their diploma and specialty certificate.

Mail packet to:

Florida Department of Health

Board of Dentistry

4052 Bald Cypress Way Bin#C-08

Tallahassee, FL 32399-3258

Limited Licenses for Dentists 1. Complete a Limited License application – Request directly from Florida Board of Health as they are frequently revised. 2. The dentist must have practiced in the

U.S. for at least 10 years.

3. He/she must not be under any disciplinary restrictions. 4. The dentist must comply with all continuing education requirements. (same as active den-tist – 30 credits every two years, plus 2 credits for Rules and Ethics, 1 credit Domestic Vio-lence, 1 credit HIV/AIDS. 5. Sponsoring agency must provide a nota-rized statement that the dentist will receive no monetary compensation, and request the licensure fee be waived.

1. Limited licensees may only serve the indigent population. (under 200% federal poverty level) 2. Limited license dentists may obtain a DEA license and write prescriptions. 3. Limited licenses are renewed every 2 years and the fee can be waived if the dentist is vol-unteering and serving people under 200% of federal poverty level.

Per 64B5-12.0185 Standards

for Board Approval of Pro

Bono Programs

You may request the Board of Dentistry

to approve your agency to provide

continuing education credits for your

dentists. These credits are based on

tracking their volunteer hours.

Records must be retained for 4 years.

•••• There is no firm amount of

hours the board approves – that

appears to be up to the

sponsoring agency.

Statute Citation Description

s. 768.28, F.S. Waiver of sovereign

immunity

Applicability/Comments

The basic statute providing sovereign immunity to

the state or any of its agencies or subdivisions.

Statute Citation Description

s. 110.504(4), F.S. State volunteers

Applicability/Comments

Provides sovereign immunity protection to volunteers

of the state. Specific procedures to be followed are

outlined in a procedures manual HRSM 125-1.

Requires time sheets, job descriptions, evaluations,

etc. (Public Health Department)

Statute Citation Description

s. 766.1115, F.S. Volunteer Health Care

Applicability/Comments

Provides sovereign immunity for specified licensed

volunteer health care providers. Specific statutory

requirements. A written contract is required.

Patients must be eligible. (Extends immunity to

physicians and dentists in their own offices)

(Contact your Public Health Department)

Related Statutes

Statute Citation Description s. 768.13, F.S. Good Samaritan Act

Applicability/Comments

Immunity from civil liability. Provides that any person providing emergency care, “shall not be held liable for civil damages”. Also applies to non-profit medical facilities, and health screenings. Reasonably prudent standard.

Statute Citation Description s. 768.135, F.S. Volunteer Team Physicians

Applicability/Comments

Immunity from civil liability for care provided at an athletic event. Physician must be licensed under chapter 458, 459, 460, 461, or 466. Reasonably prudent standard.

Statute Citation Description s. 284.31, F.S. Scope of Risk Management

Applicability/Comments

Risk Management is to “cover all Management departments of the state of Florida and their employees, agents and volunteers”.

Equipping a Dental Operatory

BASICS:

1. Chair 2. Light 3. X-ray machine (is inspected yearly) 4. X-ray developer 5. Dental unit including handpiece and suc-

tion 6. Extra handpieces (need cleaning/sterilizing

between patients) 7. Autoclave 8. Prophy instruments (mirror, explorer, sca-

ler) 9. Extractors (different styles and angles, de-

pending on which tooth) 10. Approximately $24,000 to set up an

operatory There are portable self-contained dental units. (All handpieces, slow speed, high speed, self-contained water, suction bottle - $5,000).

Remember!

Anyone with a background in Health Care can work as a dental clinic aide. You will have difficulty finding retired dental assis-tants to volunteer. The dentist does all the work in the patient’s mouth. The aide sets up, cleans up, sterilizes and holds the suc-tion when needed. Check with your local dental hygienist as-sociation. Often, members are willing to volunteer!

Guess What??

Funding a dental clinic that serves needy patients is somewhat easy!!

• Foundations love the idea!

• Individual philanthropists give money freely to dental clinics.

• Your local dental association may help with fund-ing, or you may even get local dentists to donate hours! Go Talk To Them!

•••• Your patients could also leave “donations”, if you do not have fees.

• Start-up monies are usually easy to obtain. (Put donor names on the clinic, or offer rooms for individual donors or groups to sponsor.

•••• Don’t forget to set money aside for maintenance of dental equipment. (Unless you have a “friend” who is mechanically inclined!)

Conclusion

Start small, one Operatory, a couple of dentists, one part-time coordinator (can be a nurse).

All other clinic staff can be volun-teers. If you have space, let your clinic grow as you acquire more volun-teers.

It Can Be Done!

Remember! Outcomes are the benefits for

participants after program activities.

• New knowledge (understands dental hygiene).

• Increased skills (brushes more).

• Changed attitudes (importance of dental care to general health and well-being.

• Improved condition (better oral health)

• Altered status (improved self-esteem,

better general health).